Lifting device



Jan. 26, 1954 Filed NOV. 13 1950 D. F. JORGENSEN LIFTING DEVICE 3, Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DAV/D F. JORGE/VSEN Arm/ME):

Jan. 26, 1954 D. F. JORGENSEN LIFTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13 1950 0.4 V10 F. JORGENSE/V ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1954 D, JORGENSEN Q 2,667,330

LIFTING DEVICE Filed NOV. 13 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 INVEN TOR. DAV/0 F. JORGENSEW AT TORNEV Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFTING DEVICE David F. J orgensen, Altadena, Calif. Application November 13, 1950, Serial No. 195,363

7 Claims.

This invention relates to materials handling equipment and more particularly to an adjustable fulcrum member for use with a crowbar, etc. to lift and move heavy objects. The apparatus of the invention is referred to throughout the specification and claims as a lifting device, and the term crowbar is taken to mean a conventional crowbar, rod, pole, pipe or in general any object suitable for prying or lifting.

Generally, a crowbar is used to lift or move heavy objects in conjunction with a wooden block or timber serving as a fulcrum for the crowbar. This procedure is highly inefficient, such a block being subject to deformation and splintering. Moreover, the block has a tendency to slip on the surface on which it rests and the crowbar has a tendency to slip on the block. Attempts have been made to improve the use of crowbars for lifting and moving which involve providing the crowbar with opposing bosses and providing a support to pivotally receive these bosses. With this arrangement the crowbar pivots on an axis intersecting its longitudinal axis, and its usefulness is limited to the particular leverage established by the placement of the supporting bosses.

The lifting device of the present invention greatly facilitates and expands the usefulness of crowbars for lifting and moving heavy objects' and comprises a base, a pair of spaced flanges extending upwardly from the base, each flange having at least'onenotch in one of its vertical edges with the notches in the two flanges being in' horizontal alignment, a cradle adapted to be removably and pivotally supported, in aligned pairs of notches and including means disposed below its axis of rotation for supporting a crowbar;

The supporting notches are conveniently formed by separate members aifixed to the two flanges adjacent their leading vertical edges and having one or a plurality of notches or sockets formed therein for pivotally supporting the cradle. Preferably the notched members are removably aflixed to the flanges in the indicated position so that they are easily replaced with members having differently arranged notches or sockets.

'Ihe'apparatus described has many features which recommend it for the use for which it was designed. The device is movable with respect to the object to be raised or moved so that it may be placed closely adjacent thereto or some distance therefrom as circumstances dictate. The pivotal cradle supports the crowbar in a manner preventing slippage of the crowbar with respect to the axis of rotation, minimizing the danger of losing the load. The cradle may be so constructed that the crowbar is adjustable therein. along the longitudinal axis of the crowbar so that the leverage factor may be selected at will in accordance with the weight of the object to be lifted or moved. Additionally, and because of the underslung nature of the cradle, there is imparted to the movement of the crowbar a thrust in the direction of the object engaged, tending to increase the bite of the crowbar as the object is lifted. All of these improved operational features distinguish the invention from presently conventional means of employing crowbars for lifting or moving.

The invention has additional flexibility of use in that several different types of crowbar supporting cradles may be interchangeably employed. In the simplest type of cradle, a flat bed is formed on which the crowbar rests, one end projecting towards the object to be lifted and the other end extending toward the operator. In this embodiment, preferred practice constitutes forming the supporting surface of the bed of a material having a high coefficient of friction with respect to the crowbar, so that with any load applied to the bar it is substantially impossible for the bar to slip in the cradle.

' A second type of cradle includes a bed disposed beneath the axis of rotation of the cradle in the support and itself rotatable on a perpendicular axis. With this type of cradle, a crowbar may be used not only to lift an object but to pivot it through an angle defined only by the dimensions of the crowbar and cradle.

A third type of cradle includes a projecting pry and two receptacles opposite the pry and opening at substantially right angles to each other for receiving a crowbar. This cradle is particularly adapted for close approach to an object to ,be lifted where access space is limited. The crowbar may be inserted in this particular cradle in substantially a vertical position with the pry of the cradle engaging under the object in much the same manner that a crowbar is normally engaged under the object.

The foregoing and additional features and modifications of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of the apparatus with one of the above mentioned cradles positioned therein; I

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Fig.1;

' Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an alternative socket member for use in the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the apparatus partially cut away to show a different form of cradle:

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of a third form of cradle adapted to replace the. cradle shown in the apparatus of Figs. l'to 3;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of a cradle similar to the cradle of Fig. 5 and with a floating axle;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken on the-line 8--8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a cradle adapted-to rotation about two mutuallyperpendicular.axes; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the-line 10-40 of Fig. 9,

' P eferring t Figs. 2-1110 3, the-embodimentthere shown comprises a substantially circular base 1- .3 belied upwardly to increase the strength of the base "and provided with an annular curvilinear lip 'l-OA substantially circumscribing 'the belied portion of the base. A pair of brackets 12, 13 are afiixed to the base extending vertically therefrom and being substantially parallel throughout the major portion of their length. The trailing ends of each of the brackets 1-2 and it are bent outwardly toward the periphery of the base'and are slotted'at 12A, 13A, respectively, 'to provide-hand grips for carrying'the' device. The forward edges .of the brackets iabut against the termini of the annular lip and incline rearwardly and upwardly therefrom.

A rubber'member H5, in the nature of a tire, having a central metal bead i8 is mounted beneath the lip MA with the opposite ends thereof being amxed to the lip abutting ends of the .a

brackets 12, it, as for example by bolts I9, 20. The member I6 is additionally afliXed to the lip MBA at spaced intervals by bolts El, '22, 23. This member provides non-skid contact between the base and surface upon which it is rested, extends slightly beyond the annular lip HJA to act as a resilient bumper. An additional resilient support member 26 is mounted underneath the domed base l8 adjacent-and between the leading edges of the brackets l2 and IS. The memberilfi is housed in a framework 21' which in turn, 'afiixed to the underside of the bas H] by means :of bolts .29. arrangement is such that when an object is being lifted'by means of a crowbar, mounted as hereinafter described, the downward thrust imparted to the device is substantially localized at the resilient member 28.

Socket members 32, 33 are aiilxed respectively along the leading inclined edgeof the brackets 12 13. Each of the particular socket members 32, 33 have inclined forwardly opening notches 32A, 32B and 33A, 3313, respectively. The notches .32A'and 33A, in the respective members are'in horizont .l alignment, as are the notches 32B,

.3313, each notch being provided with a semi-circular inner end for the purpose'hereinafter made apparent.

A cradle member '40 is removably mounted in aligned pairs of notches-in the brackets 12 and 13 by means of cylindrical bosses 42, 33 projecting ooaxially and in opposite directions therefrom. The cradled!) includes side members d4, d5 from which the bosses 52, 43 projectcrespectively, an upper cross piece 36 and a lower cross piece :53. The side members Ni, 45 are preferably widerat and .also

th bottom of the cradle, as shown, so that the lower cross member 41 is considerably longer than the upper cross member Q6. The lower cross member 4? is conveniently concave with respect to the cradle to receive a member of a high coefficient of friction which is conveniently glued to the lower cross member 31 and extends from side to side of the cradle to form a bed on which the crowba-r is rested. A knob 52 is affixed to and extends upwardly from the upper cross member A'Bto facilitate handling of'the cradle'when it is not in use.

In operation, the cradle is mounted in one or .theiother of the aligned pairs of sockets 32A, 33A

or 32B, 33B and because of the cylindrical natureof the bosses 42, 43 and the semi-circular configuration of :the inner ends of the notches,

the cradle is freely pivotal therein. A crowbar, as for example a crowbar 56 in Fig. 3, is inserted through the cradle resting on the bed 50, the extension-of "the crowbar from the :forward e'dge of the support device being a matter of choice depending upon the weight to-be lifted the distance it is to be raised and the space available. When the forwardend of a crowbariis engaged under an object to be lifted, the opposite end is pushed downwardly in the conventional manner. The

--crowbar, however, does not pivot on .a stationary axis but swings with the bed 50 on the .radiu'sbf rotation :of the cradle. In this manner, z-ior any given angular inclination of 'the.'c1'owbartheengaging point thereof, is, upon rotation of the crowbarpthrust in the direction of the workit'o a greater extent than if the crowbar is pivoted on a stationary axis. This has .thecadvantageof preventing the work from slipping soil the cro wb'ar, and the additional advantage of :giving :a deeper bite so as to more effectively support "the weight of the object. Depending upon the lift desired, the cradle 40 may beplaced in the aligned sockets 32B, 33B or in the higher aligned socket'sti A, 33A. For agreater flexibility, a socket member 50, as shown in Fig. i, may replace the socket members 32, 33. The only difference in the socket member'fill is that it is provided with-three receptacles. The devicewhen'fitted with socketine'mbers :of this character permits placement cfthe :cradle and three different levels as desired.

: that heretofore described, and one bracket thereof iscut-away to'show as-cradle :62. .The crladleaG-Z includes two side members 64, 65, the former being; partially cutaway in the drawing. :As'in the cradle '40, each-of the side members is provided with a projecting cylindrical b0s's,'b0ss-65 being shown. in =the.--dr.awing as projecting :from theiside 64. The bosses are adapted to engage in the .socketsin the support-deviceandallow rotation of the cradle therein in the same'lmanner :as illustrated and described with relation to cradle 49 (Figs. 1'to3). The side members-64,65 ex tend forwardly of the supporting bosses in wedgeshapedextensions 64A, A which are reinforced by a. bottom member-68 extending from theforward projection of the side members to the rear thereof, and a-topmember 6-9 eXtendingf-rom the forwardprojectionof the side :members back and aroundtheuaxis of rotation of the-cradle about the,-.suppcrting bosses 'I he .-e1on g-atedforward extensioneof the sides...together with the bottom and top cross members 68, 69 forms a wedgeshaped pry 62A similar in configuration to a con ventional crowbar.

additional cross member ID connects the two side members 64, 65 adjacent their trailing edges, and a resilient bumper I2 is likewise mounted between the side members directly above th cross member 10. Inusing the cradle 62, as illustrated in Fig. 5, for close approach to an object to be lifted, a crowbar is inserted in the opening defined by the bumper 12, the trailing end of the top cross member 69 and the side members so that the crowbar extends substantially verticallyfrom the lifting device. Displacement of the extending end of the crowbar in either direction rotates the cradle about the axis of the supporting bosses thereby swinging the extending pry 52A in much the same path followed by. the crowbar 56 in the apparatus of Fig. 3. Alternatively, and if more space is available, the crowbar may be inserted between the cross member ID and the bottom cross member 54; in which position it extends into'the pry-52A and functions in substantially th same manner as described with relation to Fig. 3. A third alternative'form of cradle is illustrated in sectional elevation in Fig. 6. Cradle 80, there shown, is similar in outward appearance to the cradle 40 of Figs. 1 to 3 and includes side members (side 82 appearing in elevation in Fig. 6), an upper cross member'BS and a lower arcuate cross member 84. The cradle 80 is provided with a support framework 86 mounted on the bottom cross-member'fl and adapted. to support a rotatable platen 88 on ball bearings 89, 98, etc.

The platen 88 is provided with a resilient upper surface 92 to provide a non-slip engagement with the crowbar inserted through the cradle and is rotatable onan axis intersecting the axis of rotation of the'cradle, this'axis being, as in the foregoing embodiments, determined by the projecting and supporting bosses. r

The cradle 80 of Fig. 6 is used in the same manner as cradle 40 in Figs-l to 3, the only difference being that the crowbar before or during lifting of an object may be rotated through an angle determined only by the width of the cradle opening,,this angle being as large as 45 in some cases. Rotation'isxaccomplished without danger of the crowbar slipping becauseof the resilient surface 92 on the rotatable platen B8 and may be easily controlled. V

The cradle shown in elevation in Fig. 7 and in transverse sectional elevation in Fig. 8 differs from that shown in Fig. 5 in one major respect. Like the cradle of Fig. 5 this embodiment includes sides I00, IBI joined in parallel spaced relationship by a bottom closure member I02 and a partial top closure member I04. The sides are shaped to form with the closure members a protruding hollow wedge I05. Opposite the wedge the cradle is open outwardly and upwardly, the opening being divided by cross member I06 connecting the sides at the upper portion of their trailing edges. The opening, thus divided, provides sockets for insertion of a crowbar into the cradle at two positions of approximately 90 angular divergence. In this embodiment the sides I69, IiiI are provided with enlarged cylindrical bosses I08, I99, respectively, in which U-shaped slots II I), III are respectively formed. An axle H4 is passed through the slots in the opposing bosses and is cleated by collars I I5, I I 6 mounted adjacent opposite ends of the axle. The outer ends of axle H4 are adapted to seat in the sockets of the supporting framework enabling the'cradle to pivot about the axle. By shifting the cradle to engage the axles in one or the other of the arms of the slots, the axis of rotation and hence the leverage of the cradle is accordingly shifted. I a a Figs. 9 and 10 showin front elevation and longitudinal cross section-respectively a cradle adapted for rotation aboutmutually perpendicular axes. In this embodiment substantially the entire cradle is pivotal about both axes, whereas in the cradle shown in Fig. 6 only the bed or platen is pivotal about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the supporting bosses. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, supporting bosses I20, I2I are mounted on a collar I22. The collar I22 rotatably supports a body I24 including sides I25, I26 and bottom and top cross members I21, I28, re-

' spectively. The body is depended from the collar 122- byaboltfifl passing through the collar and a retaining washer I32. A roller bearing I34 is interposed between thecollar and the joining bolt. A ---The sides I25, I26are belied inwardly to im crease the angle through which the body can .be rotated about the collar as thecradie is pivoted about the axis of the coaxial bosses I20, I2I. :As the cradle ispivoted to raise a crowbar supported thereby, the sides, shaped as shown, approach parallel relationship to' the. adjacent ,flangesof the support structure as the bodyis pivoted with respect to the collar.. A pad .I35 havingLa-high coefficient of friction with a .crowbartobe rested thereon is bonded'to the bottom. cross. member I21. This 'pad is conveniently rubberof either synthetic or natural origin.

Under many circumstances there is "-no need to pivot the crowbar about an approximatelyvertiical axis. Accordingly, the cradle shown inFigs. 9 and -10 includes a simplelocking'mechanism to prevent relative rotation of thecollar and. body and'to hold the latter with itslongitudinal axis normal to the axis of the supporting bosses. The locking mechanism is shown in Fig. 10 and includes sleeves I36, I3I-aflixed respectively to the collar I22 and body I25 and a bolt I38 removably inserted through the two sleeves. The; bolt is easily. removed when rotation-of the body. about the vertical axis is desired. i.

Many modifications may be made in the apparatusof the invention without significantlyalter- -ing its' operation. The apparatus has features commonl-to all its embodiments; to wit, the nonslip engagement of the crowbar, the swinging rather than pivoting lifting motion and the adinstability of the crowbar support vertically with respect to the supporting base. Wide variation in the details of construction can be tolerated and are possible without losing these benefits.

I claim:

1. Lifting apparatus for use with a crowbar, comprising a domed base having an arcuate lip extending substantially around the periphery thereof, a rubber tire affixed on the underside of said lip extending from end to end thereof and protruding outwardly therefrom, a pair of spaced flanges affixed to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, each flange projecting at one edge to abut against one end of said arcuate lip and having at least one notch in said edge above the lip with the notches in the two flanges being in horizontal alignment, a cradle adapted to be removably and pivotally supported in aligned pairs of notches and including means disposed 7 a 7 below its axis of rotation for supporting said crowbarzr...'.. t. :--,..w;. fi ting apparatus for'use with a crowbar, mn sipez -rbaw; a:iim ty gispaeed flan es ea tendin npwa d r fr m-the ba e; 2 flan rin ateleast: on socket n one of ts ve c dg with the sockets in the two flanges being in hori; zontalialisnmen ia'jcra leiada tc tobe rem aiblit fi d pivotally suppgrte dlin aligned, pairsfof sockets and includinga fiat bed rotatable Within the cradle onanaxis perpendi u ar-t he ax s O rotation orfthe fil fadle, U y t rem-Lifting apparatus for use with a crowbar, comprisin z-aybascla pa f-sp c d fl n s :e tendingzimwardlyifrqmthe base, each flangerhaving at; least one :notchin one oi its yertical edges withzthe notches ill-the two flanges being in horizontal', alignment; and a cradle adapted to be removably and :pivotally supportedin aligned pairs ofrnotchesto support a crowbar, the cradle hav ingza pair 9f side members joined together in spacedqirelationship by upper and lower cross members;1each of the side ,member s having a cylindrical boss projecting outwardly therefrom, the :twobosses beingtin coaxial alignment and adapted to engagein saidnotches, anda flat bed affixedi on the lower crossmember between the sidemembersandirotatable-thereon on an axis transverse to i, the axis of .saidbosses. 1

Liitingiapparatuszfor"use with a crowbar, comprising albase a pair of spaced flanges extending upwardly fromthe base, each flange having'at least one notch'inone of .its vertical edges with the notches inthe two flanges being in horizontal alignmentyand a. cradle adapted to be removably andpivotall-y supported maligned pairs of notches-to support a crowbar, the cradle comprising avzcylindrical collar, 1 alpair of cylindrical bosses projectingdiametrically from said. collar 'incoaxial alignment and for engagement. in said t and a ibodsymember depending fromsaid collar andwrotatable -.with respectvitoi-said-ncollar -on:an axis normaltoithe axis-eofsaid .bosses,1the

body member-including a fiat ibed for receivin said crowbar; X

1,; tie-Lifting apparatus f or use with a crowbar, 7

comprising a base,.-iarpair ofspaced flanges ex- --tending upwardlyefrom the=base,-.each flangehav:

ing at least one notch in oneuof itsivertical edges with the notches in the two -flanges being; in-hori- *zontal. alignment and ascradle adapted to. be removably and .pivotally supported in aligned, pairs 0f notches-ato'support a crowbar, the cradlelcom- "prising-a cylindrical collar a pairnof. cylindrical osses projecting diam rically from said collar in coagzial alignment an a for engagementin said p l h f fid ifi djfi m i 'peniimgirrom s a collar and rotatable witn'respectito saideo an i an axisnormal to theaxisfiolsaid fbo ",jth' body meinber including aflatbedio'rf said rc'rowbar, and lockingmeans for lock body and collaragainst.relatii erotationi ""61' mamg asparams forf use'with a ream comprising a, base; a pair" er ,spac'ed' flan es e tending upwardly frorrithebase, each flan'g hail: mg atle'ast. one notch one" r its vertieai; i": with" tli e'notches 'iri'the twoi flanges" being. in h zontal alignment, and afcradladapte'dtofbe movably ana'pivotan'y supported iiiraligiied, Y rs" of notches-to supports crowbar, the cradle coin: prising a 'p'airof' 'side'members joined together in spaced relationship'l 'by upper and lower. cross members, the sidefnie'rnberi' andcross [members forming a .hollowwedgeeshaped projection open at itslargerend, each side member having'afl l l shaped slot, rearwardly of said projection with the slots in the-sidemembers aligned, an axl'ejex tending through the: slots androutwardlyqfroin each side member, the axle being movable in the slots perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, and a third cross member. extendinglbetween the two side members adjacent the trailing edges thereof and located intermediate the upperand, ower crossmember. T I i '7. Lifting apparatus for use with a crowb a r, comprising a base, a pair ofhspaced flanges; extending'upwardly from the base, each flange hay ing at least one socket in one of its ertical edges with the sockets in the two flanges being in hori? zontal alignment a cradle adapt-edto be rem ov' ably and piyotally supported-,intaligned pairs of sockets and includingaflatbed disposedbelowits .axis of rotation for supporting said erewsar; "and also including'albody rotatable on anaxis normal to the axis of. rotation of thecradle, said'body carrying said fiat bed'for supporting acrowbar beneath the axis of eason the cradl'." Q j I ISAVID F. JORGENSEN. References Cited ifith are jof thisbatiit UNITED STATES PATENTSr- 1; Number i Name Date 7 501,051 Blane g July 11, 1893 erase? Lun'd" May' 1;19 00 758,-7'73 Parker era1.';;;;;;;:Ma ,1904 Hac s w e;- 1 7. 

